Twinkle and shimmer in golds, purples and reds

It's time to get dressed up girls - the festive whirlwind of Christmas and New Year parties is upon us.

This is the season to turn heads and dance until you drop in the most feminine, flirty frock you can find.

Forget being shy, you want to twinkle, shimmer and dazzle beneath the fairy lights.

That's an easy mission to fulfil this year, for eye-catching dresses are everywhere.

For starters, gold outfits are currently ultra-trendy since the precious colour is enjoying its first major revival since the power-dressing 80s.

Gucci is one designer label which included sexy cocktail dresses shimmering in gold Lurex in its collections.

But buying into the trend needn't cost you a fortune.

Some high street stores are offering gold dresses to treasure at affordable prices.

Alternatively, coloured sequins are also big news.

Some of this season's most stunning outfits are adorned with sequins laid out in bold patterns - and it's not difficult to see that the inspiration is once again the 80s.

Other top dresses come in rich shades of purple and glowing reds.

These colours, particularly when they are combined with luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet, are ideal for Christmas.